Section menu +

‘Back to the future — life without antibiotics’: National Press Club address on 26 April

23 April 2012

National Press Club address by Dr Janette Randall, Chair, NPS Board

"Back to the future - life without effective antibiotics"

11.30am - 1.30pm, Thursday 26 April 2012

It’s hard to believe 100 years ago, a simple scratch could kill. In the days before antibiotics were discovered, people had little defence against bacterial infections so a festering wound or a bout of tonsillitis could often turn life-threatening. Now the world is on the brink of returning to the pre-antibiotic era because of the overuse and misuse of antibiotics globally. In fact in 2011 the World Health Organization issued an ominous warning: act now or risk losing these miracle drugs forever.

What would a world without antibiotics look like? What are the solutions? And whose responsibility is it to act? The good news is we have the tools and knowledge to make a better future if we can change the patterns of today.

Dr Janette Randall, chair of the NPS Board, will address the National Press Club in Canberra this Thursday 26 April.

Janette is a general practitioner in Brisbane. She has worked in general practice since 1994, obtaining her General Practice Fellowship in 1996. She has a special interest in mental health issues, as well as women’s health and paediatrics.

From 1997 to 2006 Janette was significantly involved in the Divisions of General Practice Program holding various roles locally and at a state level in Queensland.

Janette was appointed a director of NPS, a not-for-profit, independent organisation for a medicinewise Australia, in May 2006 and has held the position of Chair of the NPS Board since August 2007. For the past three years she has been a member of the National Medicines Policy Executive committee advising the government on issues relating to medicines policy and program implementation.

NPS is an independent, not-for-profit body. NPS provides practical tools and information about medicines, health conditions and medical tests through evidence based testing. NPS keeps health professionals up-to-date with the latest evidence and provide individuals with the tools and knowledge to make better decisions, helping Australians to be medicinewise. Visit www.nps.org.au for more information.

Add any personalised information

Related medicines

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. NPS MedicineWise disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.